Randhawa will run into 'Tiger'

India's highest ranked golfer Jyoti Randhawa will travel to USA later this month to compete in the US$ 4.2 million USPGA Tour event, the Buick Open, where the strong field will include world number one Tiger Woods.

The event, to be played on August 23-29 at the TPC course in Cromwell, Connecticut, also has in fray other top stars like Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and recent British Open winner Todd Hamilton.

Preceding the Buick Open, Randhawa will participate in the US$ 3 million Reno-Tahoe Open on August 19-22 at Montreaux Golf & CC in Reno, Nevada.

An in-form Randhawa had finished 7th and 6th on the last two US$ 1 million Japan tour events, the AIFUL CUP and the SUN Chlorella Classic, which concluded outside Tokyo on Sunday.

This strong showing followed his historic 27th place finish at the British Open, played at Royal Troon in Scotland on July 15-18th.

"My goal is to win one of the US events and thus automatically get a two-year exemption on the tour," Randhawa was quoted as saying in a press release in Delhi on Monday.

"My confidence is high right now after my return to form this month and if my putter behaves, I do feel I can hold my own against the best in the world."

"My friend Todd Hamilton won the British Open this year and the year before Ben Curtis did it. If they can win the biggest tournament in the world, there is no reason why I cannot win one," said Randhawa, currently in Japan.

Randhawa has a strong record of performances in major international events including a second place finish behind world No. 2 Ernie Els earlier this year at the Johnnie Walker Classic followed by a tied third place at the Caltex Singapore Masters.

Last year too Jyoti played consistently overseas to record a win at the Suntory Open in Japan and followed it up with a third place finish at the Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok.

In 2002, he finished 5th at the Dunhill Cup in Scotland behind Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Lee Westwood and finished a very creditable second at the BMW Asian Open held in Taiwan.

Randhawa will join close friend Daniel Chopra, who grew up in New Delhi, and countryman Arjun Atwal in the two US Tour events.

While Daniel's form is not currently following his two Nationwide Tour wins and 24th place at the US Open, Atwal is going through a rough patch and will have to make amends soon in order to retain his tour playing rights.

The last time Randhawa played in the US was at the American Express World Championships last year where Atwal was also in the fray.